Fountain pen



M. REYNOLDS FOUNTAIN PEN Jan. 27, 1948.

Filed Feb. 4, 1946 7 0/2 Fyiz0% Patented Jan. 27, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOUNTAIN PEN Milton Reynolds, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 4, 1946, Serial No. 645,337

Claims. (Cl. 120-49) The present invention relates generally to fountain pens. More particularly the invention relates to that type of fountain pen which is known as a ball pointed-pen and comprises an elongated tubular body which is adapted in connection with a normal writing operation to be held by the user in an upright or substantially vertical position, has in its interior a column or mass of quick drying paste variety ink, and embodies at its lower end a tip having a depend,- ing, downwardly tapered annular wall which forms an ink chamber in communication with the interior of the body and surrounds a freely rotatable, ball for applying ink over the writing surface by a rolling action.

In connection with a ball pointed pen of this type it has heretofore been customary to employ a cup shaped cap which is shaped to fit over either end of the body, serves when applied to the lower or tip carrying end of the body to protect the tip and ball, and is adapted when the pen is in use to be applied to the upper end of the body. A pen havin a cap of the aforementioned character is subject to certain objections. In the first place, since the cap is separate and readily removable from the tubular body it is likely, upon removal from the body, to become lost or misplaced. Secondly, the cap is likely to become disengaged or dislodged from the body when the pen is not in use and is being carried in the users pocket.

One object of the present invention is to provide a ball pointed fountain pen which is an improvement upon, and eliminates the disadvantages of, previously designed fountain pens having cup shaped caps and is characterized by the fact that it embodies in lieu of a conventional cap a guard sleeve which is normally connected at all times to the pen body and is mounted on the lower end of the body so that it is slidable longltudinally thereof back and forth between an up position wherein its lower end is disposed above the ball carrying tip and hence permits the pen to be used and a down position wherein its lower end surrounds the tip and protects it against injury or damage when the pen is not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball pointed fountain pen f the last mentioned character in which the guard sleeve is downwardly tapered and at all times has its upper and lower ends in sliding contact or engagement with the lower end of the body to the end that such-end of the body is reenforced against lateral flexure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball pointed fountain pen of the type and character under consideration in which ,the portion of the lower end of the body that is above the ball carrying tip and engages slidably the upper end of the uard sleeve is of less diameter thanthe superjacent portion of the body and has an upper annular groove and a lower annular groove, and the upper end of the guard sleeve embodies an internal annular rib which when the sleeve is slid upwards into its up position fits snugly within the upper groove and forms an interfitting connection for firmly but releasably securing the sleeve in place and when the sleeve is slid or shifted downwards into its down position seats within the lower groove and forms a similar interfitting connection.

A further object of the invention is to provid a ballponted .pen of the type and character last mentioned in which the upper end of the guard sleeve has longitudinally extending slits in order that it is free to expand when the sleeve is shifted back and forth between its upand down positions and causes the internal annular rib to seat in either of the grooves with a snap action. l

A still further object of the invention is to provide a ball pointed fountain pen which is generally of new and improved construction and effectively and efliciently fulfills its intended purpose.

Other obfects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present fountain pen will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the "conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding arts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a side elevation showing a ball pointed fountain pen embodying the invention with the guard sleeve in its up position wherein the lower end thereof is disposed above-and serves to expose the ball carrying tip and hence permits use of the en;

Figure 2 is another side elevation'of the-pen showing the guard sleeve in its down position wherein the lower end thereof extends around the tip and serves to protect the ball carrying tip; V

Figure 3 is a view showing the pen partly in section and partly inside elevation; X

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the lower end of the body of the pen, showing the guard sleeve in its up posit on and illustrating the manner in which the internal annular rib on the upper end of the sleeve seats within the upper annu ar groove on the lower end of the body and forms an interfitting connection for firmly but releasably securing the sleeve in place;

Figure .5 is a similar enlarged longitudinal section showing the guard sleeve in its down position and illustrating the manner in which the internal annular rib on the upper end of the sleeve seats within the lower annular groove in order releasably to secure the sleeve in place.

The fountain pen which is shown in the drawing constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is essentially of the so-called ball pointed variety or type and comprises as its principal parts or components an elongated tubular body -6, a tip 1, a ball .8 and a guard sleeve 9.

The body '6 is adapted in connection with a writing operation to be held by the user of the pen in an upright position and is formed of any suitable material, such, for example, .as aluminum. *The lower end of the body 'is in the form of a depending stem :lll consisting of an enlarged upper part H and a reduced lower part 12. The upper part of the stem is preferably circular in cross section and, as shown in the drawings, is of less diameter than the superiacent portion of the pen body 6. The lower part i2 of the stem is cylindrical and is in coaxial relation with the enlarged upper part ll. As shown in Figured of the drawing the interior of the body is shaped to define a large sized cylindrical compartment I 3, .an ink duct 1'4 and a socket i5. The compartment i3 is formed in the central and upper end portions of the body and is adapted 'to be partially filled with .a column or mass I6 of paste variety ink. The latter is preferably of the uick drying type and is introduced into the compartment i3 through the upper end of the 'body 6. The upper end of the compartment extends through the upper end face of the body and is normally closed by a removable elongated closure member H which when in "its operative or normal position forms a part of the body. The closure member I] embodies at its lower end a reduced externally threaded stem I3 which is shaped to fit within the upper end of the body 6 ,and coacts 'with an internal .screw thread IS on the upper end of the body. When the closure member is in place it serves to prevent outflow of ink through the upper end of the body. The closure member is preferably upwardly tapered and has applied thereto by way of a .bolt type element 20 a' longitudinally extending clip .2] for holding the pen in a depending position in the .users pocket-when the pen is not in use. The duct 14 and the socket l are formed in the stem Ill constituting the lower end of the tubular body 6. The duct .is cylindrical and communicates with, and leads downwards from, the lower end of the cylindr ical compartment 13. The socket i 5 is downwardly flared. It communicates with, and leads downwards from, the lowerend of the duct .14 and extends through the lower endface of the b ds The tip 1 is located at the "lower end of the stem l0 and is preferably formed of steel or like hard durable metal. It is circular in cross section and embodies at its upper end an upwardly tapered stem 22 which is shaped oonformably to, and is driven into connected relation with, the socket IS in the lower end of the stem iii. The lower end of the tip is downwardly tapered and embodies an integral annular wall 23 which defines an ink chamber 24. The latter is in communication with, and receives ink from, the duct I4 by way of a duct 25 which is formed in the central portion of the tip .1. extends downwards from the lower end of the duct 25 and opens onto the central upper portion of the ink chamber 24. The lower end of the annular wall 23 defines a circular seat 26. When the pen is in use ink hours from the compartment [3 downwards into the ink chamber 24 via the ducts l4 and 25. The tip "I, with the exception of its upwardly tapered :stem 22 is downwardly tapered and is so dimensioned or proportioned that its upper or large end corresponds in diameter to the cylindrical lower part 12 of the stem Ill which, as previously pointed out constitutes the lower end of the body 6.

The ball '8 is truly spherical and is preferably formed of steel. 'It is disposed for the most part in the inkchamber '24, as shown in Figures i and 5, and "is arranged so that the portion thereof beneath its center rests slida'bly against the circular seat 2'6 at the lower end of the annular downwardly tapered wall 23 of the tip 1. The seat 26 serves to retain the ball rotatably in its place with the upper portion thereof in sliding engagement with the lower end of the "duct 25. In connection with a writing operation the ball 1! rolls over the writing surface and applie ink to the surface from the ink chamber 24. The ink, by reason of the fact that it is in paste form, "has pronounced lubricating qualities with the result that the ball is freely rotatable.

The guard sleeve 9 surrounds the stem [0 constituting the lower end of the body 6 and is adapted when shifted into a certain predetermined position to house or encase the ball carrying tip I in order to protect the latter against injury or damage when the pen is not in use. It is formed of any suitable slightly resilient material, such, for example, as aluminum and is downwardly tapered so far as its external contour is concerned. The upper end of the guard sleeve 9 is provided with an integral internal annular rib 2'! which surrounds and is in sliding engagement with the enlarged upper part II of the stem (0. As shown in the drawing, the length of the guard sleeve is substantially the same as the length of the stem Ill and the sleeve is slidable longitudinally back and forth between an up or inoperative position (seeFigures 1, 3 and 4) wherein its upperend is in abutment with the portion of the body that is directly above the stem and the lower end thereof .is disposed above the ball carrying tip 1 and a down or operative position (see Figures 2 and '5) wherein its lower end extends around and beneath the tip and serves so to house the tip that the latter is protected against damage or injury when the pen is not in use. The portion of the pen body that is directly above the upper end of the enlarged upper part H of the stem defines a downwardly facing annular shoulder 28 for limitin'g upward shift or sliding movement of the guard sleeve with respect to the stem l0. Downward sliding movement of the guard sleeve is limited by way of an annular outwardly extending rib 29 on the lower end of the upper part II of the stem 1-0. As shown in Figs. 4 d 5 0f the drawings the lower portion of the rib 29, that is, the lower extremity of the enlarged upper part II of the stem is downwardly tapered as at 29a. in order to facilitate original mountin of the sleeve on the stem. To secure the guard sleeve in its up and down positions the enlarged upper part I I of the stem H3 is provided with an upper annular groove 30 and a lower annular groove 3! The upper annular groove 38 is located directly beneath the downwardly facing annular shoulder 28 and is adapted to receive the internal annular rib 21 on the upper end of the guard sleeve and to have such rib snap into it when the guard sleeve is shifted or slid upwards into its up or inoperative position. The lower annular groove BI is located directly above the annular stop forming rib 29 and is adapted to receive the annular rib 21 on the upper end of the guard sleeve and to have the last mentioned rib snap into it when the guard sleeve is shifted downwards into its down or operative position. The upper end of the guard sleeve is provided with longitudinally extending slits 32 in order that it may expand during shift of the sleeve back and forth between its up and down positions. There are preferably four slits 32 and these are spaced equidistantly apart. The upper ends of the slits extend completely through the upper end edge of the guard sleeve. When the guard sleeve is initialy shifted downwards'toward its downposition the upper end of the guard sleeve expands as soon as the internal-annular rib 21 is unseated with respect to the annular groove 30. As soon as the guard sleeve is shifted completely downwards to a point wherein the rib 21 is in alignment with the lower annular groove M the upper end of the guard sleeve contracts with the result that the rib 2! snaps into the groove 3| and forms therewith an interfitting connection for firmly but releasably securing the guard sleeve in place. In connection with initial upward shift of the uard sleeve in sliding the sleeve into its up or inoperative position the upper end of the sleeve expands as soon as the rib 21 is unseated with respect to the groove 3!. Upon completion of upward shift of the sleeve the upper end of the sleeve contracts automatically as soon as the rib 21 is in registry with the upper annular groove 3%] and causes the rib to snap into such groove and form therewith 'an interfitting connection for firmly but releasably securing the sleeve in its up position. The portion of the enlarged upper stem part ii that is between the upper and lower annular grooves 30 and 3| is preferably downwardly tapered to a slight extent in order to facilitate upward shift of the guard sleeve into its up position and also to cause the guard sleeve to be firmly but releasably secured in place when it is in its up position.

The upper end of the guard sleeve is preferably the same in diameter as the portion of the pen body 6 that is directly above the downwardly facing annular shoulder .28 in order that the guard sleeve when in its up position forms a smooth continuation of the lower end of the body. The lower portion of the outer periphery of the guard sleeve is downwardly tapered and is of such contour that it forms a substantially smooth continuation of the tip I when the guard sleeve is in its up position. The inner peripheral portion of the lower end of the guard sleeve is cylindrical and defines a bearing surface 33. The latter is of substantially the same diameter as and engages slidiably the reduced lower part i 2 of the stem 10 and is of such length that it is in sliding engagement with said reduced lower stem part l2 regardless of whether the guard sleeve is in its up or down position, By reason of the fact that the upper and lower ends of the guide sleeve are both at all times in engagement or sliding relation with the'stem I0 constituting the lower end of the pen body 6 the sleeve serves to reenforce the stem against lateral flexure.

When it is desired to use the pen the grim sleeve 9 is shifted or slid upwards into its up position as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. In such position of the sleeve the ball carrying tip I on the lower end of the stem Ill is fully exposed and hence the pen is in condition for use. Because of the interlocking connection which is aiforded by the internal annular rib 2'! and the upper annular groove 30 the guard sleeve is firmly secured in place and even though urged downwards by slight pressure in connection with use of the pen will not slide downwards with respect to the pen body. After use of the pen the guard sleeve is shifted downwards into its down or operative position in order to house and thus protect against injury or damage the ball carrying tip 1. To shift the sleeve downwards it is only necessary to appy sufficient downward force to cause the rib 21 to become unseated with respect to the upper annular groove 30. As heretofore pointed out, when the sleeve is initially shifted downwards the upper end thereof is permitted to expand due to the slits 32. As soon as the guard sleeve is shifted fully downwards the rib 21 in response to inward fiexure of the upper end of the sleeve snaps into the lower annular groove 3| and thus firmly but releasably secures the sleeve in its down position. Because of the construction, design and arrangement of the sleeve the upper and lower ends thereof are always in sliding contact with the stem l8 and hence, as previously pointed out, reenforces the same against sidewise or lateral bending or flexure. As shown in Figures 2 and 5 the lower end of the guard sleeve is disposed an appreciable distance beneath the ball 8 when the guard sleeve is in its down or operative position. When it is desired to remove the guard sleeve from the pen body it is urged downwards with sufficient force to cause the internal annular rib 3| to pass over the stop forming rib 29 on the lower end of the enlarged upper part I I on the stem Ill.

The herein described fountain pen effectively and efiiciently fulfills its intended purpose and may be used with facility because it includes the specially designed guard sleeve 32 which, as heretofore pointed out, is for all practical purposes at all times in connected relation with the pen body. The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fountain pen comprising an elongated tubular body adapted in connection with a normal writing operation to be held in an upstanding position, embodying in its interior a compartment for ink and provided at its lower end with a reduced tubular concentrically disposed depending stem communicating with, and adapted to receive ink from, the compartment, said stem having the upper part thereof enlarged and its lower part reduced and of substantially uniform thickness from end to end, having the lower extremity of its upper part downwardly tapered, and embodying atits lower end a Writing instrumentality for applying ink to a writing surface, a one-piece guard sleeve extending around the stem, having the upper and lower ends thereof in sliding engagement with the upper and lower parts of the stem, respectively, slidable back and forth between an up position wherein its lower end is disposed above the writing instrumentality and a down position wherein its lower end surrounds and houses said instrumental-ity, having its lower end continuous and rigid and provided with a portion in engagement with the lower end of the stem when the sleeve is in its down position, and having its upper end slit longitudinally so that it is flexible laterally, and means in the form of a substantially annular internal rib on the upper extremity of the upper end of the guard sleeve and upper and lower annular grooves in the enlarged upper part of the stem for firmly but releasably locking the sleeve in its said up and down positions.

2. In a fountain pen comprising an elongated tubular body adapted in connection with a normal writing operation to be held in an upstanding position, embodying in its interior a compartment for ink and provided at its lower end with a reduced tubular concentrically disposed depending stem communicating with, and adapted to receive ink from, the compartment, said stem consisting of an upper part and a lower part of substantially uniform thickness from end to end, and embodying at its lower end a writing instrumentality for applying ink to a writing surface, a one-piece guard sleeve extending around the stem, having the upper and lower ends thereof in slidin engagement with the upper and lower parts of the stem, respectively, slidable back and forth between an up position wherein its lower end is disposed above the writing instrumentality and a down position wherein its lower end surrounds and houses said instrumentality, having its lower end continuous and rigid, and having its upper end slit longitudinally so that it is fiexib'e laterally, and means in the form of an internal rib on the upper extremity of the upper end of the guard sleeve and upper and lower grooves in the upper part of the stem for firmly but releasably locking the sleeve in its said up and down positions.

3. In an applicator article comprising an elongated tubular body adapted in connection with normal operation to be held in anupstanding position, embodying in its interior a compartment for the substance to be applied and provided at its lower end with a reduced tubular concentrically disposed depending stem commu nicating with, and adapted to receive the substance from, the compartment, said stem having the upper part thereof enlarged and its lower part reduced and of substantialyuniform thickness from end to end, having the lower extremity of its upper part downwardly tapered, and embodying at its lower end an instrumentality for applying said substance to a surface, a guard sleeve extending around the stem, having the upper and lower ends thereof in sliding engagement with the upper and lower parts of the stem, respectively, slidable back and forth between an up position wherein its lower end is disposed above the instrumentality and a down position wherein its lower end surrounds and houses said instrumentality, having its lower end continuous and rigid, and having its upper end slit longitudinally so that it is flexible laterally, and means in the form of an internal rib on the upper extremity of the upper end of the guard 4. In a'fountaln pen comprising an elongated tubular body adapted in connection with a normal writing operation to be held in an upstanding position, embodying in its interior a compartment for ink and provided at its lower end with a reduced tubular concentrically disposed depending stem communicating with, and adapted to receive ink from, the compartment, said stem having the upper part thereof enlarged and its lower part reduced and of substantially uniform thickness from end to end, and embodying at its lower end a writing instrumentality for applying ink to a writing surface, a one-piece guard sleeve extending around the stem, having the upper and lower ends thereof in sliding engagement with the upper and lower parts of the stem, respectively, slidable back and forth between an up position wherein its lower end is disposed above the writing instrumentality and a down position wherein its lower end surrounds and houses said instrumentality, and having its lower end continuous and rigid and provided with a portion in engagement with the lower end of the stem when sleeve and upper and lower grooves in the en- 7 larged upper part of the stem for firmly but releasably locking the sleeve in its said up and down positions.

the sleeve is in its down position, and interfitting snap type connections between the upper end of the guard sleeve and the enlarged upper part of the stem for firmly but releasably locking the sleeve in its said up and down positions.

5. In an applicator article comprising an elongated tubular body adapted in connection with a normal writing operation to be held in an upstanding position, embodying in its interior a compartment for the substance to be applied, and provided at its lower end with a reduced tubular concentrically disposed depending stem communicating with, and adapted to receive the substance from, the compartment, said stem having the upper part thereof enlarged and its lower part reduced and of substantially uniform thickness from end to end, having the lower extremity of its upper part downwardly tapered, and embodying at its lower end an instrumentality for applying said substance to a surface, a one-piece guard sleeve extending around the stem, having the upper and lower ends thereof in sliding engagement with the upper and lower parts of the stem, respectively, slidable back and forth between an up position wherein its lower end is disposed above the instrumentality and a down position wherein its lower end surrounds and houses said instrumentality, and having its lower end continuous and rigid and provided with a portion in engagement with the lower end of the stem when the sleeve is in its down position, and interfitting snap type connections between the upper end of the guard sleeve and the enlarged upper part of the stem for firmly but releasably locking the sleeve in its said up and down positions.

MILTON REYNOLDS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 971,797 Smythe Oct. 4, 1910 1,714,965 Ullner May 28, 1929 2,069,462 Rouse Feb. 2, 1937 2,114.203 Agaboyani -7 Apr. 12, 1938 2,400,679 Biro May 21, 1946 

